Central Piedmont Community College vs. Wilkes Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC with Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Piedmont Community College is larger than Wilkes Community College based on total student enrollment (20,375 students vs. 2,593 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Piedmont Community College is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Wilkes Community College is in Wilkesboro, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Piedmont Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Wilkes Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Piedmont Community College 15:1; Wilkes Community College 8:1.

Central Piedmont Community College vs. Wilkes Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Piedmont Community College or Wilkes Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilkes Community College than Central Piedmont Community College ($658 vs. $4,616).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Piedmont Community College are 8.6% lower than at Wilkes Community College ($11,239 vs. $12,291).
• Central Piedmont Community College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes Community College (about $220 more per year; $2,792.00 vs. $2,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Central Piedmont Community College than at Wilkes Community College (about $220 more per year; $8,936.00 vs. $8,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes Community College than at Central Piedmont Community College (90% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes Community College students is 50.1% larger than aid received by Central Piedmont Community College students ($8,372 vs. $5,576).

Central Piedmont Community College vs. Wilkes Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Piedmont Community College or Wilkes Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wilkes Community College and Central Piedmont Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Piedmont Community College - Open admission; Wilkes Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wilkes Community College Aug 12, 2027.

Central Piedmont Community College vs. Wilkes Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Piedmont Community College and Wilkes Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Wilkes Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,900 vs. $26,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Piedmont Community College graduates have a $1,266 lower median loan debt than Wilkes Community College graduates ($6,984 vs. $8,250).
• Among borrowers, Central Piedmont Community College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes Community College graduates ($72 vs. $85).
• More Wilkes Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Piedmont Community College students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.